HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

OF FLORIDA

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida, Madam Speaker, I rise today with my good friend and colleague, Congressman John Dingell and almost 15 original cosponsors in strong support of the Iraqi Refugee and Internally Displaced Persons Humanitarian Assistance, Resettlement, and Security Act of 2009, a bill which I am reintroducing for the 1st Session of the 111th Congress.

The comprehensive legislation I am introducing today addresses this crisis and the potential security break-down resulting from the mass influx of Iraqi refugees into neighboring countries and the growing internally displaced population in Iraq, and also facilitates the resettlement of Iraqis at risk.

The plight of Iraqi refugees and IDP's is worsening by the day. It is heartbreaking to hear the stories of families who fled for their safety, are now unable to work and have subsequently depleted their savings in order to survive.

I believe that the United States has a moral obligation to take the lead and provide a `humanitarian surge' in responding to this crisis. The future of the Middle East depends on it.

I would like to thank Congressman Dingell for his continued leadership in the House of Representatives on this issue and for his help in drafting this legislation as well as the other original co-sponsors supporting this bill. As I have said on many occasions, this must not be a partisan issue, but rather Congress and the Administration have an obligation to work together before the Iraqi refugee crisis further destabilizes the region.

I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation, which will provide much needed relief for Iraqi refugees and IDP's. I call on the leadership of the House to support this bill.